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How to celebrate National Pharmacist Month

It’s a great time to recognize your pharmacy staff or plan special health events
By | Oct. 1, 2024
Three pharmacists smiling - pharmacist month

Key takeaways

  • October is National Pharmacist Month, and it’s a great time to celebrate and recognize the invaluable work of your pharmacy staff.

  • Many are unfamiliar with the full range of services pharmacists can provide. National Pharmacist Month is a wonderful opportunity to educate the community about the pharmacy profession.

  • To celebrate National Pharmacist Month, organize a special health event, invite a senator for a visit, and personally thank your staff.

In this article:

With the total number of prescriptions reaching 6.7 billion in 2022, pharmacists are busier and more important than ever. As the third most trusted medical professional, pharmacists make a powerful impact on the health of the community, and your contributions should be recognized. As October approaches, National Pharmacist Month is almost here, and it’s a great time to celebrate the invaluable efforts of your pharmacy team and patients.

Let’s explore some tips for celebrating National Pharmacist Month.

What is National Pharmacist Month?

October is National Pharmacist Month—or American Pharmacists Month (APhM)—and it’s a time to celebrate the contributions of pharmacists to the health of their patients. This celebration has been a yearly tradition since 1925, when radio stations would broadcast special programming to highlight the role of pharmacists. At that time, the celebration was only a week long and was referred to as National Pharmacy Week. In 2004, after nearly eight decades, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) expanded that week into a month, and October has been coined American Pharmacists Month ever since. 2024 will mark the 20th anniversary of APhM.

Why is National Pharmacist Month important?

Not only is National Pharmacist Month a great time to thank your team for their efforts, but it’s also an opportunity to educate people about the pharmacy profession and its value to the community’s health. This is especially important since studies have shown that the public is largely unfamiliar with pharmacists’ full responsibilities.

According to the APhA, 90% of the U.S. population lives within five miles of a pharmacy–making pharmacists highly accessible to millions. Yet, many are unaware of the full range of services pharmacists can provide, including:

  • Dispensing medications
  • Administering COVID-19, flu, and other vaccinations
  • Helping manage blood glucose levels in people with diabetes
  • Ensuring safe medication use
  • Helping manage COPD symptoms by reviewing proper inhaler use
  • Helping choose and educate patients regarding over-the-counter (OTC) products or supplements
  • Monitoring and managing high blood pressure
  • Managing chronic pain

How to celebrate National Pharmacist Month

Within your pharmacy, National Pharmacist Month is the time to recognize and thank your team for their incredible contributions to your patients. Here are some ways to celebrate this October.

Thank your staff

Taking a moment to thank your staff for their hard work can go a long way. You can share a message of gratitude during a staff meeting or write a thank you letter. Either way, personally thanking your team and showing your appreciation is a great way to give them the recognition they deserve.

Schedule a special health event for patients

Organizing a health event can be a way to show appreciation for your patients. Examples include providing a cholesterol screening day, flu shot clinic, or medication review day. These community events can help promote your pharmacy’s services and build and strengthen relationships with your patients.

Invite your senator or representative for a visit

Hosting a tour for your legislators will help educate them on pharmacists’ wide range of services. In addition to the daily workings of the pharmacy, the APhA recommends that the tour include a view of patient care services that warrant compensation, such as immunizations, blood pressure screenings, and comprehensive medication reviews.

Volunteer for a community event

Signing up for a community event can be a great opportunity for your pharmacy to gain exposure and strengthen team rapport. You can look into volunteer work in your community, such as food banks, blood donation drives, or building homes for Habitat for Humanity.

Use social media to recognize your staff

Social media is another way you can recognize the work of your staff. Share stories, photos, and shoutouts for pharmacists, technicians, or other staff members that go above and beyond for your patients. This is another way to show your appreciation for your team and a powerful way to gain exposure for your pharmacy.

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